Routon Jr., William Mack

KILGORE - Mass of the Christian burial for William Mack Routon Jr., 
fondly remembered as "Bill," 57, of Kilgore, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, 
May 8, 2007, at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Longview, Texas, with 
Father Gavin Vaverek officiating. Burial will follow in Danville 
Cemetery in Kilgore, Texas. Bill went to be with his Heavenly Father 
on May 3, 2007, in Tyler, Texas.

He was born July 20, 1949, in Kilgore. He had lived in Kilgore all of 
his life and was dearly loved and respected by all who knew him. He is 
especially remembered and loved by the many grade-school students he 
taught in Kilgore during the 1990s. Bill's passion was teaching, not 
only text books, but about the truer meaning of life. He was a curious 
and well-read person, who urged all whom he taught to embrace the 
importance of learning. Bill was presently manager of the Adult 
Education Department at Kilgore College in Longview. He was also 
greatly loved by the students of all ages whom he taught at Kilgore 
College. He not only taught these students the basic courses to obtain 
a GED, but he counseled them on personal and vocational matters and 
generally cared very deeply for each and everyone in his classroom .

Bill had been a very devout Christian all of his life, serving his 
churches in many capacities. He served as a member of the vestry at St. 
Paul's Episcopal Church, where he also was a verger and a lay 
Eucharistic minister. A banner given in honor of Bill hangs in the 
nave of this church. He also was a dedicated acolyte director for many 
years and touched again the lives of many young people.

He presently was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Longview, 
Texas, where Bill was involved in many aspects of parish life. As a 
teacher, Bill was always interested in study and sharing what he learned. 
He volunteered as a catechist for the Sunday school program and regularly 
participated in adult classes to further his own understanding. He so 
treasured the richness of his Christian faith and found great help and 
comfort in the sacraments. He desired to share the joy he found in Christ 
with others and was very involved in evangelization serving on both the 
parish evangelization committee and on the evangelization team for the 
Diocese of Tyler. Bill always made the effort to attend parish functions, 
whether educational or social. Bill had a deep love for the Mass and a 
very strong personal prayer life. 

Bill will be remembered for his genuine and gentle nature and his selfless 
generosity to all around him. He had this habit of always thinking of 
others and what he could do for them, instead of thinking of himself. He 
especially loved his family and his many great nephews and nieces.

Bill graduated from the University of Texas and was a loyal Longhorn fan. 
He had traveled to England in his younger days and loved all things 
English, right down to his daily cup of carefully brewed tea.

Bill was an avid reader and had a passion for lifelong learning about a 
variety of subjects. His past hobbies have included gourmet cooking, 
running and music. When he was a child, he was the neighborhood "plant 
doctor" and went from house to house of his friends, wearing a white coat, 
where he diagnosed a sick plant's ailment.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Dr. William Mack Routon and Odelle 
Routon.

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Renee Routon Conner and 
Tom Conner; his nephew, David Mack Armstrong and his wife, Cheri; his 
nieces, Michelle Ann Miller and her husband, Randy, and Kelly Smith Lugar 
and her husband, John; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. He 
also leaves behind many lifelong friends that will miss him greatly.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore. 
Rosary will be recited 7 p.m. Monday.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to St. 
Mary's Catholic Church in Longview, Texas, or the charity of your choice.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 5/6/2007.